Roy Keane playfully teased Ian Wright during coverage of the FA Cup final, but not before endorsing the former England striker for a job offer. The football legends were part of ITV’s broadcast team for Saturday’s showpiece event, which saw Wright’s former team Crystal Palace secure their first major honour with a stunning 1-0 victory over Manchester City.
Eberechi Eze’s first-half goal proved decisive, allowing Palace to defy the odds and leave Pep Guardiola facing a trophyless season for the first time in almost a decade. Wright, 61, had experienced a similar situation to his former side in 1990 when Palace faced Manchester United in the FA Cup final, drawing 3-3 before ultimately losing 1-0 in the replay. Although Wright couldn’t deliver the trophy as a player, he was present to witness the current team’s triumph as a fan. In a surprise move, he hinted that this might be his last FA Cup final working for ITV.
After discussing the significance of the win for prior generations of Palace teams who weren’t able to deliver silverware, Wright dropped a hint about his broadcasting future with the network. “Now that he [Steve Coppell] can see these scenes, he could’ve seen what it’d be like because we made some noise here in 1990,” Wright said.
“What it makes you realise if you could’ve given them that, I’m glad that I was able to be here – probably my last ever FA Cup and Palace have won it – do you know what I mean? It’s like a dream,” reports the Mirror. Keane, in predictable form, quipped back at his fellow pundit with a touch of banter: “They done it for you Ian” before noting: “And more work for Ian, more TV work for him,” given that Palace’s triumph secures them a spot in the Europa League next term.
Keane, supportive of Wright’s broadcasting prowess, playfully added: “There must be a deal out there for him somewhere.” This conversation comes amid the whirlwind exit of Gary Lineker from the BBC after he posted, then deleted, a pro-Palestine video on social media featuring what was perceived as an ‘anti-Semitic’ rat emoji.
Though Lineker promptly apologised, he has confirmed his departure following the final MOTD broadcast of the season this Sunday. Initially planning to leave his role at the show’s end later this month while continuing with the FA Cup and World Cup coverage, Lineker, 64, has now opted for a complete departure from the BBC after this week’s events.
The ex-footballer expressed his sentiments about his exit: “Football has been at the heart of my life for as long as I can remember – both on the pitch and in the studio. I care deeply about the game, and about the work I’ve done with the BBC over many years.
“As I’ve said, I would never consciously repost anything antisemitic – it goes against everything I stand for. However, I recognise the error and upset that I caused, and reiterate how sorry I am. Stepping back now feels like the responsible course of action.”
